First-of-its-kind Clean Energy Training Centre opens at Barnsley College

Barnsley College is celebrating the opening of a groundbreaking new training centre preparing students for careers in Low Carbon, Renewable Energy, Retrofit and Sustainable Construction.

The Clean Energy Training Centre, opened at the College’s STEM campus on Old Mill Lane on Friday 12 December, is the first of its kind in South Yorkshire and one of the largest such centres in the country.

Developed to meet growing demand for decarbonisation, the centre equips students to work in sustainable construction – with courses on installing and maintaining solar PV, domestic retrofit and digital design, energy efficiency and renewable technologies, and more.

Courses span Level 2 to Level 4 qualifications and are designed to suit a range of applicants, from current professionals looking to upskill, to people wishing to retrain or change careers to keep up with new developments in the industry.

David Akeroyd, Barnsley College Principal and CEO, said: “Our Clean Energy Training Centre is more than just a new building – it’s a transformative step for both Barnsley and the wider region.

“We are proud to lead the way in training the workforce of tomorrow, supporting green growth, and helping our region meet its net zero ambitions.

“Barnsley has always been a powerhouse of energy production – coal powered our communities for generations. This centre honours that legacy, by repositioning Barnsley and South Yorkshire at the heart of the UK’s clean energy future.”

Maria Gonella, Managing Director of Quantum Training, said: “Working with Barnsley College to create this Clean Energy Training Centre has been a genuine privilege.

“This centre is more than a training facility; it is a doorway to possibility, giving young people a pathway into meaningful, future-proof careers and offering adults the chance to upskill and reimagine their futures.

“Upskilling both new entrants and the current workforce has never been more critical. Learners must gain not only knowledge but genuine hands-on experience with modern technologies, sustainable materials and real-world retrofit systems.

“We are grateful for the unwavering support of Ecological Building Systems, as well as leading manufacturers including Daikin UK, Kensa, and EWI Pro, whose systems reflect the spectrum of solutions used across both private and social housing. Their high-quality products form a vital part of the practical learning delivered here.

“Barnsley College is now uniquely positioned to lead the region in developing the workforce required for our transition to net zero. For me, this centre represents hope – hope for learners, for communities, and for a nation committed to building a skilled, sustainable and resilient workforce for the years ahead.”

The centre is part of Barnsley College’s wider commitment to sustainability and skills development, following the launch of other nationally recognised initiatives including the Modern Methods of Construction Training Centre, and Barnsley College University Centre – which saw the 92-year-old former Barnsley Mining and Technical College sensitively transformed into a technology-rich Institute of Technology.

The College was also recently awarded Gold Carbon Literate Educator status – becoming the first-ever recipient of the award in the world, for its trailblazing approach to Carbon Literacy and Education for Sustainable Development.